Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1887-10-26

was DARK, cIear-cus, handsome face
| very youthful and pleasant In its express
| sion.
"Why, you are boy, amt yous' was
his next question, as he took in the 1.-the,
willowy form.
"Never mind what am; my Captain is
| satisfied with me, and that is enough"
| "You had better drop your pistol and
come down. Pll see that you are treated
we'll"
Thanks. Hadn't you better Law down
your weapon and march over that hill,
and go home to your wife and children, if
| you have any? l am not particularly
anxious to have our boys come along and
capture you."
The frank and fearless ewes looking into
Dickson's had a kind look, and the angry
farmer found that his wrath was gradual
ly melting. After all, he thought, there
would be little glory in capturing this boy
soldier. And then the fellows story might
be true If the Federals were coming in
| that direction it was time for good Con.
fcderatss to hide out.
"Wnat are you doing here, anyhow" he
asked.
II 81 pped in Blue Rock last night" was
the an'wer, ''and some of your people
chased me out. My horse was shot, and
had TO take to the woods. / climbed up
here to be safe until our cavalry came
along"
IN tell youwhat I'll do, broke in Dick.
son; II don't much want to take you pris-
ener, and / don't want to shoot you. On
the other hand, I'li admit that have no
fancy Tor being shot myself. But Pm not
going to throw down my pistol. will
get up and go to town, and when your
crowd comes, If it comes at all, you NAV
pXnaCt n hot rapa1Nfion
many for us.''
There was pause of a moment, and
then tho sold er in the tree spoke.
"All right, Pll trust you," he said. $50
ahead, and Pll take no advantage of you.
But you may expect to see me in Blue Rock
before night.'
"We'il take care of Blue Rock" deflantlv
responded Dickson. "Well, Pm off. Good
byew
And he rose to his feet and walked Off
as briskly as he could. He scorned to look
BACK. Ii the Federal was mean enough
to break his word and fire, twas all right.
But his heart bumped against his ribs
until he had placed hundred yards be.
tween him and the tree.
When the blue jackets swarmed into the
village that afternoon, the score or two of
male inhabitants saw that resistance was
useless against such force.
"Ihe Captain sent me to guard your
property" said soldier, as he paused in
front of Dickson's door.
81 am obliged to him" replied Dickson.
shut don't see why"
The man went on duty, and the little
family passed the night undisturbed, and
with the feeling that they were securely
protected.
THE Captain requests you to come to
his headquarters
This astonishing message made Dickson
little nervous when it was delivered to
him the next morning. His wife could
not conceal her alarm.
There is nothing wrong" the messen-
ger assured her. "The Captain merely
desires to see your husband a moment"
There was nothing to do but go. Dick.
son quoted his wife and proceeded to the
dwelling indicated to him as the Captains
headquarters.
"Giad to see you, Mr. Dickson" the
Captain remarked, with peculiar smile.
my wife wishes to thank you for your
courteous and sensible conduct yester-
day"
"Your wife!" exclaimed the farmer
And then he saw what had escaped his
notice, that there was a lady in the room.
very charming little lady, Dickson
thought. She looked fresh and bright in
her simple travelling dress, and her curly
hair, cut short, like boys, gave her a
roguish look. The lady's face was
strangely familiar, and when the aston
ished Confederate gazed into her eyes he
recognized her.
"Iou were the soldier in the treew he
cried.
''The same," admitted the Captains
wife, with laugh.
"You see," explained the Captain. ssmv
wife would come down to see me in camD.
and she would wear a soldiers uniform
She is head-strong little piece, and had
to yield, but after her adventure of vester.
day have persuaded her to return home.
War is a bad thing, my friend, if the ladies
are to go soldering"
BY this time Dickson felt perfectly at
home His hosts were in such a ioIly. good
humor that it was contagious, and the
visitor spent delightful half hour
The Federals did not hold Blue Rock
long. They moved off with the main
body of the army, but before they left the
Captains adventurous wife had been
shipped home by her husband.
Queer things happen in war times. - was
Dickson's comment on the affair when he
spoke of it afterward to his friends. sand
tell You it is wonder that the Captain,s
wife didn't capture me and march me off.
She is a daisy, il there ever was onep,- |
Wallace r. II eed, in Atlanta Constitution